One might call it "new guy syndrome", temporary insanity, or short term memory, but what ever you call it, it sure was confusing as this weeks announcement of the California Pacific Conference men's basketball post-season awards left UC Merced fans shaking their heads, and unfulfilled. It was not the fact that UC Merced's Aki Chambers was voted to the Cal Pac Conference first team, but the displeasure in knowing he was not chosen the conference Player of the Year, or, Newcomer of the Year. Chambers, the 6'3" junior guard from San Anselmo, helped lead the Bobcats to a 5-7 record in the inaugural season for Bobcat basketball, and play in the California Pacific Conference.

Throughout the year, Chambers was clearly a dominating force to be reckoned with. Even as teams adjusted defenses, blocked out, or tried to play him more physically to put him in foul trouble, Chambers found ways to respond. Aki was more than just the league scoring leader at 20.4 ppg, he reanked in the top 10 in 9 statistical categories including: 1st offense rebounding (3.1pg), 2nd total rebounds (8.24pg), 3rd steals (2.05pg), 6th defense rebounds (4.4pg), 7th 3-point shots made (1.38pg), 8th 3pt. field goal % (.31), and 9th field goal % (.43). For many, Chambers impact on his team, and in the league, was far more significant than Menlo College's Tim Tatum (Player of the Year) and ChaRunn Jones (Newcomer of the Year). Chambers was by far the most versatile and productive player in the conference, on both ends of the floor, in and outside of the arc, and the paint. Period.

Simpson, and Cal Pac Champion, Cal Maritime, each placed 2 players on the first team. Cal Maritime also landed the Defender of the Year Josh Greenwell, who helped guide CM to a 19-9 overall record and a 12-0 record in conference play. This marked the first year in Cal Pac conferece history that a team had gone undefeated. Fifth year CSU Maritime head coach Bryan Rooney was named Coach of the Year.

Player of the Year: Tim Tatum, MenloDefender of the Year: Josh Greenwell, CSU MaritimeNewcomer of the Year: ChaRunn Jones, MenloFreshman of the Year: Ian Corella, SimpsonCoach of the Year: Bryan Rooney, CSU Maritime